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IIEP.QIIT 

OF THE 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE 



TOWN OF LEICESTER 



1849--'50: 



TOGETHER WITH A 



^ HISTORICAL SKETCH 

S ^ ' OF THE 

r 1 1 P DISTRICT SCHOOLS 

' ^H FROM THE 

■v^** FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWK 

PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF THE TOWN, 



WORCESTER: 

PRINTED AT THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY OFFICE. 
1850. 



\^[,Zt[ 






REPORT. 



The Committee to whom has been entrusted the care of the 
Common Schools durmg the past year, respectfully present the 
following, as the report of their doings, so far as it regards the 
inspection of the Schools. :— 

In accordance with an established usage, a usage founded 
upon a principle of time and labor, and money saving economy 
your Committee came together at their earliest convenience for 
the purposes of organization, and the division among themselves 
ot the several schools for particular supervision. The following 
IS the distribution, which was agreed upon. Rev. Mr. Nelson 
accepted the special charge of the West and South West Schools • 
Mr. Nathan Daniels of the North- West and North-East : Mr' 
Joseph A. Denny, of the East; Rev. William C. Clark, of the 
South and South-East; and Rev. Mr. Harrington, of the North 

M ^r?; .^"' '"^" '^''' '^'' ^"^^"gement was made. Rev. 
Mr. Clark left town, and before the schools had completed their 
summer terms, Mr. Daniels was removed by death. In these 
circumstances, the responsibilities from which Mr Clark's 
removal had released him, were assumed by Mr. Harrington, 
and those of Mr. Daniels, by Mr. Nelson and Mr. Denny 



Mr. Nelson reports as follows, in relation to the schools that 
were under his particular supervision. 

SOUTHWEST SCHOOL. 

The South-West school was taught in the summer, (ei.ht 
weeks) by a lady who had had the instruction of the same school 
before, and who, during the last, no less than in the former ones 
gave general satisfaction. Her ability, her activity, and her tact' 
both m governing and teaching give her a high rank amon. 
teachers. <=> 



The Winter School in the district was taught by one of the 
committee, who, in my judgment, has well sustained, in this last 
effort, the high reputation he has had for so many years as a 
teacher The school was interesting, not only on account of the 
unusual number of older scholars which attended it, but of the 
pains which were taken, both by teacher and pupils to make pro- 
gress in the various branches of education. Sickness prevented 
L being present at the close of the school, but judging frem 
previous examinations,! can have no doubt, that it was highly 

satisfactory. 

WEST SCHOOL. 

The West School, in the summer was continued fourteen 

weeks It was under the instruction of a lady, who had compe- 

tent learning ; and she took com.nendable pains to promote the 

mproventem of her pupils. There was, however, a defic.e c 

in the government of the school ; there was too much confusion 

TxhreWU^emed to arise from an excess of good nature which 
while it rendered the young woman amiable and disarmed 
censure, too much kept back the governing voice and governmg 

"'nsome portion of this excess could be withdrawn arrd 
imparted to others, who do not abound in the same quahty, a.l, 
nerhaps might be more successful teachers, 
■^ths School, in the winter was taught s.xteen week, y 
young gentleman of ample literary attainments, of great kmdn 
Tdifposition, and of rare fidelity to the duties of his trus . W i A 
these qualifications, he did not fail to commend himsel to he 
Barents and to secure the love as well as improvement of the 
cXn If there was any want (and perfection ,s a rare 
^ fnmen.) it was that of a rather more energetic go™ t^ 
But I hope the district will ''f ^ ^ 'o rea .0 *- « ^^ 
wishes in securing again so - -"e '^ 1^ ^^^^^^ 

::rr":^:sS:^."rh": found t^ 

:C after about three months a school more frequently loses, 
than gains, in its appearance. 

NORTH-WEST SCHOOL. 

The North-West School came under my care after the death 
„f our lamented and valuable associate, Mr. Daniels. 



• 

I have not the means of knowing his impressions of the sum- 
mer school in this district, but believe they were favorable. 

The winter school, of about three months continuance, 
conducted by an experienced and approved teacher, (a young 
gentleman) was very successful. The number of pupils, the 
present season, was unusually small, owing to the removal of 
some of the larger families from the district. Several of the 
scholars were also absent on the occasion of the last exaniination, 
whether from a justifiable cause or not I do not know. But I 
feel constrained to say that the allowing of pupils to be absent 
on such occasions, is discouraging to the teacher, and tends to 
defeat the object of what all must acknowledge to be important, 
I mean, the closing examinations. 



The report of Jos. A, Denny, for the Schools under his charge 
is as follows : 

NORTH EAST DISTRICT SCHOOL. 

The School in the North East District was originally assigned 
to Mr. Nathan Daniels, and the Summer School was visited by 
him only, and at his decease he left no report of it. We can, 
therefore, only say that it was taught by a young lady from a 
neighboring town, of good qualifications as to scholarship, but of 
no previous experience, and that the general impression in the 
District seems to be, that the school was a good one as to 
instruction, but that there was a failure in preserving order, and 
that in this respect it was not satisfactory to all. 

The Winter School was commenced by a lady of great 
experience and success in teaching, and continued nine weeks, 
when she gave up the charge to a sister, also experienced in 
instruction, 

As a general thing, a change of teachers is an injury to a 
school, but the similarity of these two sisters in their method of 
instruction, seemed to make the change of no apparent injury. 

The government of the school was good, and the instruction 
seemed to be thorough in all the branches. 

Although this school is not so far advanced as many of the 
Districts in town, their progress during the winter was quite 
satisfactory, and we think tliat the money has been expended to 



6 

better advantage than if it'had been appropriated for a male 
teacher. 

The school has not yet closed, but is expected to be of about 
seventeen weeks duration. 

The whole number of scholars is twenty-nine, average 
attendance twenty-four. 

EAST SCHOOL. 

The East School in the Senior Department, was taught in the 
summer by a young lady of this town, of some experience, who 
has since that time made other engagements which will probably 
deprive the community of her future services as a school teacher, 
and in that respect the community have lost valuable services. 

Her government was mild but decided, and the school was 
generally quiet and orderly. 

Her method of instruction was simple and natural, and the 
general improvement of the school was good. The instruction 
in grammar was particularly interesting, as leading the pupil on, 
in an easy and pleasant way, to the knowledge of words, and the 
construction of sentences, and contrasted strongly with the dry 
and uninteresting method of some teachers in this branch of 
education. 

The school consisted of forty-one scholars in all — average 
attendance thirty-five — length of the school three months. 

The Junior Department of the same school was also under the 
care of a young lady from this town, who was pleasant in her 
manners and succeeded in giving general satisfaction in the 
District. 

There was, perhaps, as much order as could be expected in a 
school averaging more than forty scholars, and all between the 
ages of four and eleven years. Great progress is not, ot course 
expected to be made, but the improvement in reading and spell- 
ing was very satisfactory. 

The whole number of scholars was fifty, average attendance 
upon the school forty and a half — length of school three months. 

The ^Villter School, Senior Department, was taught by a 
crentlemen residing in that District and whose labors in another 
department of instruction have connected him with most of 
the fiimilies in that portion of the town. 

Of his qualifications as a teacher, we need not here speak, as 



his education 'and long experience in teaching have favorably 
commended him to the public. 

The school under his charge was of a high order, and a great 
amount of instruction was imparted during the thirteen weeks of 
the present winter. 

The government was good without unnecessary severity, and 
the school was generally quiet and orderly. Many branches of 
study were attended to, and in each there appeared to have been 
isatisfactory improvement. 

As a whole this branch of the school is probably second to 
no other District school in town. 

It contains some excellent readers, others who are thoroughly 
acquainted with the difficult parts of arithmetic, and some well 
drilled in the principles of grammar. 

The method of instruction was lively and pleasant, accompanied 
usually by familiar illustrations, and the scholars appeared to 
enjoy their studies generally. 

Another interesting feature in this District, is the interest 
which appears to be taken by the parents in the school, which is 
exhibited by a good attendance on the examinations. 

The whole number of scholars is forty-two — average attendance 
thirty-two — duration of school thirteen weeks. 

The Junior Department of the winter school was taught by a 
lady from abroad, of high attainments and considerable experience 
in teaching. Her government was decisive, and good order was 
observed to an uncommon degree, considering the number of 
scholars and their age. 

No great opportunity was given for the display of her talents 
as an instructor, but the school seemed interested in their studies, 
and good improvement was made in reading, spelling, and the 
elements of geography, and arithmetic. One of the most 
desirable qualities in a teacher of very young scholars, is a 
capacity for interesting their pupils in their studies, and conveying 
to their- minds useful facts, and correct principles, by oral 
instruction. The repetition and singing of verses which convey 
simple truths to their minds, is also useful, and pleasing, and 
relieves the tediousness of confinement. 

Much of this has been done in this school the past winter. 

The attendance in.this department has been very good through 



8 

the winter — several scholars in both these schools have been 
present every day through the term. 

Whole number of scholars forty — average attendance thirty- 
seven and a half. 

We cannot but think that one cause of the interest which 
appears to be felt in this District by both parents and scholars, 
is the fact, that they are in possession of a school house, which is 
by far the best of any in town, and in point of neatness and 
convenience is creditable to the District. 

The scholars are also entitled to credit for the care which 
they have taken to preserve it, during the first year, from damage. 



The schools under the care of Mr Harrington, were thus 
reported by him — 

NORTH SCHOOL. 

This school, in summer, continued seventy-seven days. Whole 
number of scholars eighteen — average attendance thirteen and 
two-thirds — one scholar attended the whole number of days — 
whole number of absences two hundred and twelve. A prominent 
feature in this school was the stillness and docility of the scholars. 
And if in no one branch of study special progress was made, yet 
in all, a general improvement was clearly perceptible. 

In winter, the school continued the same length of time as in 
summer — seventy-seven days. Whole number of scholars 
twenty-six — average attendance twenty two and a half. One 
scholar was present the whole number of days — three seventy-five 
days each, and one who belosged to the school but thirty-three 
days, was present that number. The total amount of absences 
reduced to days, was two hundred and twenty-nine and a half — 
The best order seemed to prevail in the school, and in the hands 
of a skillful and experienced teacher, the scholars steadily 
advanced in their various studies. At the close was presented 
what the previous visits of the committee had enabled him to 
anticipate a school in good condition, giving evidence of accura-e, 
thorough, and patient teaching. The class in Physiology, and 
Anatomy, as also in History, did themselves honor. 



CENTRE SCHOOL, SECOND DEPARTMENT, 

The length of this school in summer was one hundred and 
nineteen days. The whole number of different scholars belonging 
to the school was sixty-three — average attendance forty-one. — 
One scholar attended every day without even one tardy mark ; 
another one hundred and eighteen days with but one tardy mark. 
One attended one hundred and fourteen days, and had just that 
number of tardy marks. The total sum of all the absences 
during the school was nine hundred and sixty-six and a half 
days. 

The management of the school appeared to be judicious, and 
mild, and the numerous little ones as quiet as is desirable that chil- 
dren of their age should be. Their improvement was considerable, 
though it is believed not so generally satisfactory as it has been 
in some former schools. 

In winter the school was kept sixty-six days. The whole 
number of scholars was forty-six — the average attendance forty. 
Five scholars were in attendance every day of the term, and four 
of them without any tardy marks against their names. 

The school, as in summer, was quiet and orderly, and the 
general improvement considerably greater. 

The amount of absences was three hundred and sixty-nine 
and a half days, a large per cent, less than in summer both in 
regard to h. of t. and g. of s., while the average attendance was 
a large per cent, greater — the former being a small fraction less 
than forty-one out of sixty-three, and the latter forty out of 
forty-six. 

CENTRE SCHOOL, FIRST DEPARTMENT. 

This school was continued through a term of one hundred and 
thirteen days. The whole number of scholars was forty-three — 
average attendance thirty-six, nearly. One scholar only was 
present every day of the term. The amount of absences was 
seven hundred and eighteen days. With this school it is believed 
the entire district was perfectly satisfied ; and perhaps it would 
be no exaggeration to pronounce it one of uncommon excellence. 

Its appearance whenever visited by the committee, was in a 
high degree flattering, and its examination surpassed even the 
most cherished expectations of the numerous visitors present. 



10 

To ask whether proficiency was made in a school of this 
description would be a needless inquiry. 

In the winter the school was kept sixty-six days — whole number 
of scholars forty-eight — average attendance 33 and 4-tenths 
nearly — total sum of absences two hundred and twenty-one days. 
This school was served by a prompt, and faithful teacher, who 
devoted his energy to the interests of his pupils. His method 
was well calculated to put in requisition their own powers of 
thought, and make them feel that their progress must depend in 
a good measure upon their own personal efforts. At the close, 
satisfactory evidence was exhibited of advance in the several 
studies which had been pursued. More than thirty individuals, 
parents, and others were present on the occasion. 

SOUTH SCHOOL. 

The length of this school was considerably abridged in the 
summer by the failure of the teacher's health ; since which time 
her sickness has terminated in death. She was able to proceed 
with her school fifty-eight and a half days only. The whole 
number of. scholars was seventeen — average attendance 15,5 
nearly — amount of absences 240 1-2 days. The teacher, though 
young and inexperienced, devoted what of energy and strength 
she possessed to her scholars, some of whom showed her not all 
the respect that was becoming, and who probably did not profit 
much by her instruction. The school closed without an examina- 
tion : it is therefore not easy to appreciate the result of her 
embarrassed efforts. 

The school in winter continued 72 1-2 days. The whole 
number of scholars 25 — average 20 — total absences 192 days. — 
The teacher employed was a female, who brought to the place o. 
her toil the practical wisdom of years, and e.xperience, and by 
laborious and patient exertion, she succeeded in advancing her 
pupils in their respective studies, so far as to give good satisfac- 
tion. The class in Morse's Geography, and also in Adams's 
Arithmetic had gone over the whole of those works with a good 
degree of thoroughness. 

SOUTH-EAST SCHOOL, SECOND DEPARTMENT. 
Here was a school in summer of 94 days continuance. — 
Aggregate of scholars belonging to the school 43 — average 



11 

attendance 33 — amount of absences 834 days. The charge of 
these children was given to a young female, who had never before 
taught. But little more was attempted than to instruct them in 
reading and spelling. This statement is true as it regards the 
greater portion of them. A few were instructed in the first 
principles of geography, arithmetic, and elementary lessons in 
the spelling-book, and about as much was accomplished in this 
way as could be reasonably expected. 

A portion of these children have been, through the winter, 
placed under the tuition of another young female, who had never 
before taken charge of a school. The term was 77 days — the 
whole number of pupils was 40, and the average attendance 31. 
The absences amounted to 516 days. Much the same course of 
instruction was pursued as during the summer, with a very 
similar result. By long and patient drilling some visible advance 
was made in the rudiments of learning. Some few parents 
indulged their preference, by sending their children to a well 
established teacher, who was employed in an adjacent district in 
the north part of Oxford. But a chief obstacle to the greater 
proficiency of our schools is the vast amount of allowed, or 
required absence of the scholars. 

FIRST DEPARTMENT. 

The length of this school in summer was extended to 99 days. 
The whole number of the scholars amounted to 52, and the 
average varied but little from 40. The absences reached the 
large sum of 1005 1-2 days. 

The management of this school, and the degree of instruction 
imj)arted to the children gave very general satisfaction to the 
District, and the evidences of proficiency witnessed at the close 
were highly gratifying to your Committee. 

In winter the school was of 77 days continuance. 40 pupils 
in all, were in attendance, averaging 31. — 516 absences happened 
in the course of the term. The teacher employed was one of 
some experience, and good qualifications. His scholars were 
mostly young, and not far advanced in study ; but by patient 
continuance in well-doing, by giving line upon line, and precept 
upon precept, he in the end, left his mark perceptibly upon his 
pupils, as was happily evinced during the progress of the 
examination, especially of the classes in arithmetic. 



12 



RECAPITULATION. 



Aggregate length of all the schools, 1025 days. Whole 
number of scholars belonging to all the schools, 759, including 
the whole number attending, both in summer and winter. 

Average attendance in all the schools, 595. 

Amount of absences in all the schools, 9003 1-2 days. 

The aggregate length of the schools reduced to years, amounts 
to three years and eighty-nine days, or 89-312 days, calling 312 
days a school year. The difference between the whole number "^ 
of scholars and the average attendance, is 164. In other words 
the absences amount to the total loss of schooling of 164 children. 

It will appear from the above statement that the length of the 
schools, on an average, the past year, has been considerably greater 
than in many former years. This, in connection with the fact 
that the town, the present year, will have occasion to raise funds to 
an unusual amount to meet the heavy expenses incurred by 
repairs and improvements at the pauper establishment, has 
suggested the propriety of recommending to the town that 1200 
dollars only be appropriated to the schools for the current year. 
And this retrenchment they recommend with the more freedom, 
from the consideration, that for the last two years, the town has, 
with much liberality, given for the benefit of the schools, a 
larger sum than the Committee, in a former report, thought it 
expedient to recommend. Besides, your Committee, from 
extended observation, are satisfied that in general, a school of 
very unusual length possesses no advantages over one of ordinary 
length. When studies are pressed beyond a given time, with no 
intervening vacation, weariness and exhaustion take place, and 
instead of advancing, the school retrogrades. 

At this stage of our report, we would claim a moment's 
indulgence while we advert to a monitory, and painful event 
which has transpired during the past year. We allude to the 
death of Mr. Daniels. In his removal, your Committee mourn 
the absence of a judicious, active, and faithful colleague, the 
community sustains the loss of a youthful citizen of high 
respectability and promise. May a cherished and enduring 
recollection be his embalmintr. 



13 

In closing, we would briefly advert to one other topic, which 
in our estimation is deserving of more than a passing notice. — 
We would suggest to all parents the exceeding impolicy of 
giving countenance and support to schools for dancing in the 
vicinity of Grammar schools, while the latter are in progress. — 
The evil is one of no small magnitude. It is high authority 
which says, 'ye cannot serve two masters.' Children, it cannot 
be expected, will promptly do the bidding of the dancing master, 
and the common school master, at the same time. It will be found 
no easy task, if not quite an impracticable one, to educate at the 
same moment, both the feet and heads of the pupils. Lessons 
in Geography, Arithmetic and Grammar, possess only feeble 
attractions, compared with the enchantments of the viol, the 
fascination of the dance, and the exciting associations of the 
ball-room. A strong currentof influence sets against the interests 
of the common school, which the teacher has not the power to 
turn aside. It is not the energy of his government, nor the 
eloquence of his persuasion that can effect it. Besides, the 
exhaustion of late hours, at stated intervals, disqualifies the child 
for mental application, even where the disposition might not be 
wanting. Should any one be disposed to question the strict 
correctness of these remarks, let him test their veritableness by 
an actual experiment. For the good of our schools, and the 
interests of education, it is certainly to be desired that those who 
alone have the entire control of this matter, would give to it the 
attention it imperatively demands, and set themselves to the 
remedy of the evil. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 



THE FOLLOWING HISTORICAL SKETCH IS EXTRACTED FROxM THE 
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF LAST YEAR. 



When we compare our own advantages with the situation of 
our Ancestors, only three or four generations before us. in 
regard to Education, altliough we may well feel grateful for our 
privileges, we shall find no great cause to boast of our improve- 
rnent of them. 

In examining the early records of Leicester, and especially 
the public documents connected with our Revolutionary history, 
emanating from our forefathers, whose education in many cases, 
was wholly obtained at the District Schools in this town, we 
cannot but be surprised at the general intelligence and strength 
of intellect developed there, and oftentimes combined with a 
highly cultivated mind and superior education. 

If the community now improved the advantages which they 
enjoy, as our fathers did theirs, we could not fail of having some 
intellectual giants in these days. 

As an evidence of their estimation of the importance of 
education, we find the first settlers in this town, after having, by 
great sacrifices, provided for the spiritual wants of themselves 
and their posterity, by the erection of a Meeting-house and the 
settlement of a Minister, next turning their attention to the 
support of a school-master to instruct in reading and writing, 
the first and most important branches of Education. 

The first vote on record respecting Schools, after the settle- 
ment of the towUjWason the last day of the year, 17^1, about 
twelve years after the erection of their Meeting-house, and ten 
years after the settlement of their first Minister. The record 
informs us that " it was voted to choose a Committee of three to 
provide a school-master, and that the said Committee agree with 
a man to keep school for three months, and no longer, and that 
the school be kept in three parts of the town, so as may be 
most for the conveniency of the inhabitant's children going to 



15 

school." The sum of £ 10 10 s. was raised for this purpose, 
equal to $8,75 lawful money.* Mr. John Lynd Jr., was the first 
teacher of a public school in this town. 

When it is considered that the population to be accommodated 
by this three months' schooling was scattered over a territory of 
sixty -four square miles, comprising the whole of the present 
limits of Leicester and Spencer, and a part of the towns of 
Paxton and Auburn, the " conveniency of the inhabitants' 
children," could not have been very great. 

The following year, no school was provided, and the town was 
presented before the Quarter Sessions for this neglect. 

The succeeding winter the town voted to raise just double the 
amount before appropriated, to pay the school master for his 
winter's services, and the Selectmen were empowered to hire a 
school master. Nothing however was done by them until about 
a year afterwards, when Mr. John Lynd, Jr., was again hired to 
keep a writing and reading school, at the house of Mr. Jonathan 
Sargeant, then living at the corner of the common where the 
dwelling-house of Capt. Hiram Knight now stands, three months, 
at the rate of £4 10s., or $3,75 per month, "and for so much 
more of the year as the town shall employ him, at the same lay." 

The school was not, however, continued beyond the three 
months agreed upon, but during the next winter the same person 
was engaged at about the same salary, to keep the school in 
three different places, one month in each place, with the under- 
standing that " if the town employed him any more, they was to 
come on new tarms." 

This nine months of schooling, was all the privilege for a 
public education which the town enjoyed for the seventeen years 
of its settlement previous to 1736, for although the town was 
laid out in 1714, it was not much settled until five years after» 
wards. 

In 1736 we find an article in the warrant, to see what the town 
will do about a school master, and another " to see if the town 
will build a school house, and appoint a place to put it." 

In the transactions of the town at their next meeting, we find 
that they " voted to build a school house 16 feet in width, 20 feet 



*See Towft Record, Book No. I, p. 138. 



16 

in length and 6 1-2 feet between joynts, and that it be set the 
north side of the meeting house, about ten rods, in the most 
convenantest place." 

The location of this building, where the young ideas of many 
of our venerable forefathers were first taught to shoot, must have 
been a little north-west of the spot where the present Town Hall 
now stands,* and the wonder is, how their ideas could shoot so 
high as they did ivhen confined within the walls of a building only 
6 1-2 feet between joints. 

In looking back to this model school house erected before the 
community was blessed with such a multiplicity of lectures upon 
ventillation, and the thousand other topics of the day we live in, 
and comparing the size and height of that structure with some of 
the buildings erected in modern times for a similar use, we have 
no great cause to boast of our improvement in this respect. 

During this year, the town was again presented for want of a 
school master, but when we compare the amount of money 
required to be raised at that time, with the very limited means of 
the population, we may well charge their neglect in this matter 
rather to their destitution, than to their want of interest in the 
subject of education. 

They raised during the following winter, nine pounds, to pay 
Mr. Joshua Nichols, for keeping a school in two different places 
for one month each ; but for some cause the Selectmen did not 
see fit to employ him for more than one month in all, perhaps 
owing in part to their having to pay the sum of ^4 12s.for expenses 
incurred at the Quarter Sessions, for want of a school master 
the previous year. 

* There is reason to believe that this school house was not placed where the town 
located it, or that it was afterwards moved, as the venerable Mrs. Hannah Phippin, 
now living at the age of 88, in Westminster, Vt., says, in a recent letter to her 
nephew, Judge Washburn, she remembers that it was an "old shell of a building," 
and stood on the corner of the common, a little east of the meeting house, on the 
north side of the country road. 

The old meetincr house then stood very near the road and directly south of the 
present meeting house of the First Parish. 

It was lighted with " diamond windows," and the Burying Ground in the rear 
was fenced on the west side with a brush fence, which came up to the corner of the 
meeting house. 

The next school house in this District was opposite the house of Edward Rawson 
Esq., on the spot where the brick Card Factory now stands, belonging to the 
estate of the late Col. Jos. D. Sargent. 

The third was built about two rods west of the present dwelling house of Cheney 
Hatch, Esq., and was demolished in 1828, when the present building was erected 
on the Clappville road. 



17 

The year 1737, brou^Iit with it to the inhabitants of this town, 
an uncommon amount of taxes, partly on account of having 
built galleries, and made general repairs in their meeting house, 
and settled a new minister, the year previous. 

It was probably on this account that the school house was not 
built this year, as was contemplated. 

The sum of eighteen pounds was voted to pay a school master, 
but only a part of it was expended. The matter being left to 
the Selectmen, a master was engaged, but it appears that after 
about six weeks the school was discontinued, as we find, amona 
the expenses of the town, five pounds paid to John Lynd, Jr., for 
schooling one month, and =£2 lis. 8d., allowed to Joshua Nichols 
" for keeping school ten days, and for answering as school master 
the last summer." 

So it appears that by voting to have the school kept at the 
house of Joshua Nichols, they contrived to have a nominal school 
master a part of the time, to satisfy the law, and keep clear of 
the Quarter Sessions. 

It is probable that the school house was built during the sum- 
mer of 1738, as the last we hear about providing a place for the 
school was for the previous winter. When the town first voted 
the money to build this house, they raised only forty pounds, 
with the proviso that " if there be an overplus it was to lay in 
the Treasury, and be disposed of by the town." 

We find by the account of the Treasurer afterwards, that the 
whole cost of the building was nearly fifty per cent, more than 
had been anticipated, or <£57 8s. 2d., old tenor, equal to $47,84. 
During that year they had about three months schooling. 

As soon as the new school house was erected, we find the town 
providing with greater liberality for the education of their 
children, not o^y in reading and writing, but also in some of 
the higher branches. 

In 1739 Mr. Samuel Coolidge was paid thirty-eight pounds for 
teaching a Grammar school six months. This sum, although an 
advance upon former wages of school teachers, was only $1,32 
per week, but as the town provided board in addition, it might 
be considered a fair compensation, when a laboring man was 
allowed thirty-three cents per day for himself, and half that sum 



18 

for a yoke of oxen, on the highway. The salary of their minister 
at this time, was £ loO old tenor, or $125. 

For a few years previous to this time, the population had 
increased very much, and the portion of the town which is now 
Spencer, had been settled by a large number of families, who 
were beginning to feel dissatisfied with paying taxes for the sup- 
port of the ministry and school, which were of comparatively 
little advantage to them. In 1741, an article was inserted in the 
warrant, " to see if the town will allow the school to be moved 
from place to place, as may be thought proper," and another " to"" 
see if the town will excuse those persons who are settled in that 
part of the said town, called the proprietors' part, from being 
taxed for the future to the minister and school in said town." 

The town voted to remove the school from place to place '• as 
shall be thought proper by the Selectmen," but not to release 
any portion of the inhabitants from their taxes. 

The school was not, however, removed this year, and the same 
request was made in the spring of 1742, and the town voted to 
remove the school into the four quarters of the town " so as to 
have the remote ends of the town have some benefit of the same," 
and the Selectmen hired Mr. John Gibbons for £89 to keep 
school through the whole year. 

In 1743, the town voted to keep the school in six places in the 
town, two months in a place, and raised one hundred pounds, 
old tenor, for the purpose. 

In that and the following year, Mr. Adam Bullard was em- 
])loyed as teacher, and for the last three months his salary was 
,£18 10s., old tenor, " and the keeping his horse in the bargain." 
From this time onward, for the next twenty years, no great 
change was made in the schools in this town. Each year about 
the same amount of schooling was enjoyed, and the schools were 
moved into different parts of the town, to accommodate all its 
inhabitants. The average amount expended yearly, was ^bout 
forty pounds, lawful money, or 8133,33. After the District of 
Spencer was set off in 1753, about the same amount was expend- 
ed as before, and of course the remaining inhabitants had a 
better opportunity. 

About ten years before the commencement of the Revolution- 
ary War, quite a revolution took place in the school system here 



19 

A Committee chosen by the town in March, 1765, reported in 
favor of dividing the town into School Districts, and each Dis- 
trict or "Quarter " was to build their own school house. 

There was, however, found to be difficulty in some of the 
Districts about locating their school houses, and at the town 
meeting in the fall of the same year, the whole subject was again 
brought up, and a different arrangement was made. The town 
voted to raise .£120 to build five school houses, to be located in 
the East, South-east, West, North-west, and North-east Districts. 

In the East, South-east, and West Districts, the inhabitants 
were divided as to the location of the building, and the town 
«hose a committee of three men, who were not residents in the 
District, to locate each of these school houses, in case the 
inhabitants of the District did not generally agree among them- 
selves. 

They also voted that the money assessed in each District 
should be expended on the school house in that District, thus 
throwing the expense of building upon the Districts as at first, 
but taking the management into the hands of the town. 

A committee was then chosen in each District to estimate the 
cost of their building, and receive subscriptions either in money, 
materials, or labor, for each man's assessment, to be provided 
under the direction of the committee at a stated time ; and all 
the school houses were to be completed by the first day of October 
1767. 

The Centre District was not included in this arrangement, as 
they had already a school house belonging to the town within 
their limits. The town, however, al this time chose a Committee 
to sell this house to the best advantage. 

At the next March meeting, it was voted that the assessments 
of all persons who had not furniehed materials, &c., as proposed 
be committed to the constable, for collection in money to be paid 
to the several Districts where it belonged. So much dissatisfac- 
tion was manifested in some of the Districts about the location 
of their school houses, that they were not all completed until 
about five years after this plan was adopted. 

In the year 1766, the first female teacher was employed in our 
public schools. In that year the town appropriated seventy 
pounds, lawful money, for schools, and voted to have eighteen 



20 

months schooling in all, which was three months in each District. 
The Selectmen were " desired to appropriate one third part of 
this money, in hiring schooling mistresses in each quarter," and 
if any of the Districts were dissatisfied with this arrangement, 
they had the privilege of taking their portion in money. 

In 1774, the town voted to accept the report of a committee 
recommending a new school house in the South-west District, 
one near Mr. Nathan Snow's, in the North District, and one near 
Mr. Nathan Hearsey's, in the West District, and when these 
were completed, the town was in possession of nine school houses^ 
and no great change has been made in their location from that 
time to the present. 

In 1776, a revision of the school Districts was made, and 
the names of the several heads of families in each District 
recorded on the town books. 

For about fifteen years from this time, the town /aised annu- 
ally, an amount about equal to $ 133, for the support of common 
schools, besides a donation of five hundred pounds, in 1783, to 
the Academy. 

In the year 1789, the town agreed to make a general, and 
thorough reformation among the old school houses, and raised 
the sum of =£400, to be expended in building and repairing school 
houses. 

Each District was to furnish their own funds, and to build a 
new house, or repair the old one, to the acceptance of a commit- 
tee of eight persons chosen by the town, and if the Districts 
neorlected to do it, the committee were to do it for them. 

Great opposition was manifested to this measure, and the 
town was much excited on the subject. For the next two years 
they held frequent meetings, but at length, all things settled 
down quietly. It was about this time that the school houses in 
the South and Centre Districts were built, both of which are 
now demolished, and others built in their stead. 

At this time the Academy was struggling for existence, and 
was at times forced to give up its school for want of funds. 

The town, feeling deeply interested in its success, generously 
appropriated fifty pounds, for the support of a Preceptor in 1789, 
which with many individual donations, from the inhabitants of 
this, and other places, enabled it to survive these early struggles. 



21 

and it has since continued to flourish with increasing popularity, 
until the present time, a blessing not only to our own youth, but 
to thousands from every portion of our county. 

In 1794, the town sold at auction, to Pliny Earle, twenty acres 
of land, adjoining the farm of Capt. Daniel Kent, and known by 
the name of the School Lot, which was laid out by the Original 
Proprietors of the town, as required by their charter, for the 
benefit of schools, and had been kept by the town about seventy- 
five years. 

It is unnecessary to follow up the particular history of our 
schools through the last fifty years, as many of those now present 
have taken an active part in their management, and others who 
are younger, have received much of their education in them 
during that time. 

Suffice it to say that the town has continued to raise its annual 
appropriation, and increased it from year to year, as its popula- 
tion and wealth have increased, until the present time, and it is 
much to the credit of this community, that ever since the erectio» 
of the first school house, one hundred and ten years ago, it has 
never for a single year, neglected this duty. 

Even during the Revolutionary struggle, when the currency 
at one time was so much depreciated in value, that it required an 
appropriation of .£1710, Continental money, to support the 
schools for one year, the nominal value of which was $5700, the 
schools were continued as usual. 

During the last year, in addition to the fifteen hundred dollars 
raised by the town, the amount paid for tuition, by its citizens, 
at the academy, was §560,54, which with the amount received 
from the School Fund of the State, makes a total of about 
$2140, expended for education. 

In thus reviewing the past history of our schools, the reflec- 
tion is forced upon our minds that with the improvements of 
modern times, many of the good old fashions of former days are 
passing away. All changes are not improvements, and all im- 
provements are not without their evils. 

In the current, which is sweeping down with resistless force into 
the sea of oblivion, the manners and customs, the habits and 
practices of our early fathers, we have reason to fear that amidst 
the rubbish and useless things which give way for real improve- 



22 

ments, some of their more solid and valuable qualities have been* 
succeeded by modern experiments of doubtful value. 

The alterations in our school houses by adding somewhat ta 
their height, so that they measure a few more inches " between 
joynts," and the substitution of stoves for the old-fashioned fire 
places, and a few other changes in the constiuction of our 
buildings, may be considered improvements. But even these 
improvements are not unmixed with evils. We do not now sed 
how we could live comfortably, or even afford to live at all, when 
the old wide-mouthed school house chimney was consuming its 
half a cord of wood per day ; but then, it was not so much of an 
evil, when wood was contributed freely, and without measure, by 
the farmers in the District, and was chopped by the school boys 
at noon time, instead of wrestling, for exercise. With such a 
ventilator to our school rooms, we need not understand anything 
about Oxygen or Nitrogen, and the ruddy cheeks and bright 
countenances of the young, in those days, would compare favora- 
bly with the pale faces of our school children, who are compelled 
to breathe the close and unwholesome air of some of oar school 
rooms for six hours in the day, through one half the days oftheir 
childhood. 

But we trust this evil will be temporary, and that our school 
rooms will soon be ventilated, as well as warmed. 

In the cultivation of the manners of our yonth, in the present 
pay, the field seems to have been entirely changed from the school 
room to the ball room, and in outward appearances, at least, a 
stranger would not notice a great increase of politeness in these 
days, over olden times. 

There are even some old fashioned people now, who would 
rather see the respect and deference which was once paid to the 
Committee man, or the Minister, when, on entering and leaving 
the village school, there was a voluntary uprising of its members, 
or the respectful bow and courtesy of the school children in the 
street, while passing their superiors in age, than to see the whole 
subject of the cultivation of the manners of our youth, banished 
from the school room. 

The improvements in school books, is another invention of 
modern times, not unmixed with evil. Though it might have 
been some objection to the good old days of " Dilworth's Spelling 



23 

Book," and the " Only sure Guide to the English Tongue," that 
the scholar would, after a while,, get them all by heart, yet this 
objection would, at length, be removed by their advancement to 
a higher class in the " Understanding Reader," and then to the 
" Scott's Lessons," which, to be sure, would sometimes be rather 
familiar, before the large scholars became one and twenty; But 
even this objection, is, by some, thought to be a less evil than the 
continual change which is going on in our schools and the great 
inconvenience and expense to which parents are now subjected, 
by the variety of books in our different Districts, and the intro- 
duction of new books in the various branches of education, before 
a single copy of the old ones have been worn out. 

We would not be understood to condemn the practice of 
exchanging school books, when evident improvements are made 
in them ; but we do consider the great multiplication of these 
books, and the frequent changes made in our schools, to be pro- 
ductive of much evil, as well as some good. 

At the present day, when so many school books are urged, by 
their respective authors, upon teachers and school committees, 
we think the good of the community would be promoted by great 
caution on their part, and a determination to make no changes 
without strong evidence that the public good requires it. 

The present, is truly an age of invention. While great im- 
provements have been made in the Mechanic Arts, by labor 
saving machinery, and the intercourse among men has been in- 
creased, by more rapid and commodious modes of travel, a 
hundred fold, and in the conveyance of intelligence from one 
part of the world to another, distance has almost been annihilated 
by the Magnetic Telegraph — the community are inclined to 
become restless under the old order of things, and desire to see 
the world making progress in everything, with rail-road speed, if 
not with lightning velocity. 

But in the process of education, we have yet discovered no 
method so safe and sure, to make ripe scholars, and sound and 
sensible men and women, as the good old way of hard study, 
close application, and patient drilling, in the solid branches of 
education, which are taught in our District schools. There has 
never yet been, and we have no reason to suppose there ever 
will be, discovered, any royal road to learning. 
JOHN NELSON, j 

MOSES HARRINGTON, } School Committee 
JOS. A. DENNY, ) 



THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT OF THE AJIGUITF 
RA SED FOIi SCHOOLING. 



1745, £100 old tenor. 

1746, 100 " " 

1747, 120 " " 

1748, 160 " " 

1749, 200 " " 

1750, 30 lawful money, 

1751, 30 " 

1752, 35 " 

1753, 40 " 

1754, 40 " 

1755, 40 " 

1756, 28 " 

1757, 20 " 

1758, 35 " 

1759, 45 " 

1760, 40 " 

1761, 48 " 

1762, 50 " 

1763, 50 " 

1764, 50 " 

1765, 70 " 

1766, 70 " 

1767, 70 " 

1768, 50 " 

1769, 70 •' 

1770, 70 " 

1771, 70 " 

1772, 70 " 

1773, 70 " 

1774, 70 " j i 

1775, 70 " 1| 

1776, 70 " I ^1 

1777, 90 " L ^ 

1778, 108 " 

1779, 216 " 



[1780, 1710 lawful money. 

|i781, 40 silver money, 

40 " 



1782, 
1783, 
1784, 
1785, 
1786, 
1787, 
1788, 
1789, 
1790, 



40 
40 
40 
40 
40 
40 
40 
40 



1791, £40 

1792, 

1793, 

1794, 
1795, 
1796, 
1797, 



60 

60 
60 

SO 
80 
80 



1798, $)300 fed'l mon'y 

1799, 300 " 

1800, 300 " 

1801, 333,33" 

1802, 400 " 

1803, 400 " 

1804, 400 " 

1805, 400 " 

1806, 400 " 

1807, 400 " 

1808, 400 " 
rl809, 400 " 

1810, 400 " 

ISll, 400 " 

1812, 400 " 

1813, 600 " 

1814, GOO •' 



•1815, $600 federal mon'y 

!l816, 600 " 

1817, 600 '■ 

1818, 600 " " 

1819, 600 " 

1820, iii^eoo " 

1821, 600 " 

1822, 600 " 

1823, 600 " 

1824, 600 " 

1825, 600 " 

1826, 600 " 

1827, 800 " 

1828, 800 " " 

1829, 800 " 

1830, SOO " 

1831, 800 " 

1832, 800 " 

1833, 800 " 

1834, 800 " 

1835, 1000 " 

1836, 1000 " 

1837, 1000 " 

1838, 1000 " 

1839, 1200 " 

1840, 1200 " 

1841, 1200 " 

1842, 1200 " 

1843, 1200 " 

1844, 1200 " 

1845, 1200 " 
184G, 1200 " " 
1847, 1200 " 
IS4S, 1500 " 
1849, 1500 " " 



THE FOLLOWIXG ARE AMONG THE NAMES OF THE TEACHERS OF THE 
DISTRICT SCHOOLS IN THIS TOWN SINCE 1789. 



1789. 



1790. 



1791. 



Peter Sylvester, West. 
Han'h Washburn, North. 
Polly Denny, Centre. 
Jona. Howe, C. 

Sally Denny, N. West. 
Thomas Hearsey, N. W. 
Jas. Raymond, N. East. 
Sam'l Upham, Jr., South. 
Ruth Swan, West. 

Thos. Hearsey, S. West. 



S. 

W. 

C. 

s. w. 

E. 



179; 



Thomas White, 
Lydia Watson, 
Ruth Swan, 
Alpheus Cheney, 
Lewis Gould, 
Abner Dunbar, 
John Fessenden, 
Dan. Merriam, 
Sam'l Upham, Jr., 
Alpheus Cheney, 
Hannah Washburn, 
Cynthia Taft, N 

Lydia Watson, 
Abner Rice, 

1792. Sarah Hearsey, 
John Fessenden, 
Sam'l Denny, Jr., N. W 
Abner Rice, N. E 
Alpheus Cheney, N. 
Sam'l Upham, c'r., 
Lydia Watson, S. 1796. 
Sally Denny, N. W, 
Hannah Washburn, N. 

1793. Abner Rice, C. 
Sally Moore, 
Silas Haskell, 
Nathan Dana, 
Abab Arnold, 



W. 

c. 

N. W. 

s. 

N. 
N. 

E. 

S. 

s. w. 
w. 
c. 



1794. 



Lewis Gould, 
Ruth Swan, 
Lucy Washburn, 
Lydia ^Vatson, 
Abner Rice, S. 

Sam'l Denny, Jr.,N. 
Otis Preston, 
Ahab Arnold, N, 

Nathan Dana, S. 

Jer'h Hawkins, 
Mary Newhall, 
Lydia Watson, 
Sally Mower, 
Jon' a Howe, 
Abigail Watson, N. 
Hannah Washburn, 



S. 



W. 
W. 

s. 
w. 



Jeremiah Hawkins, N. E. 



Reuben Lamb, 
Sam'l Goodale, 
Jon' a Howe, 



S. 



N 



Sam'l Denny, Jr., N. 

Lydia Earle, N 

John King, 
Peter Sylvester, Jr., 
Hannah Washburn, 
Mary B. Wheeler, 
Polly Newhall, 
Hannah Bruce, 
John Parker, S. 

Abigail Watson, N. 
Thomas Hearsey, 
Tho's Denny, 2d. N. 
Mary Newhall, 
Sam'l Mower, Jr., 
Polly Sargent, 
Nathan Dana, 
Jon' a Howe, 



E. 
C. 

N. 

E. 

W. 

W. 

N. 

E. 

W. 

E. 

S. 

E. 

W. 

N. 

W. 

C<" 

N. 

w. 
c. 

N. 

, E. 

W. 

E. 

. E. 

S. 

W. 

N. 

E. 

w. 

c. 
w. 
w. 

c. 
w. 

S. 

w. 

N. 
S. 
N 



26 



Aaron Hunt, 


N. E.i 


Lydia Earle, 


N.E. 


Sam'l Denny, Jr., 


E. 


Elizabeth Henshaw, E.| 


Hannah Bruce, 


C. 


Ruth Henshaw, 


S. 


(( (( 


s. w. 


Sally Kent, 


N.E. 


Hannah Weeks, 


W. 


1797. Archibald Jones, 


E. 


John King, 


S. W. 


Wni. Mason, 


C. 


Nathan Waite, Jr. 


W. 


Thomas Denny, 2d, N. 


Aaron Hunt, 


N. E. 


Newhall, 


S. 


Hannah Bruce, 


c. 


Rachel Warren, 


N. W. 


Lydia Earle, 


N. E. 


Eunice Southgate 


E. 


<( << 


N. 


John King, 


S. W. 


Polly Newhall, 


s. 


Eleanor Read, 


w. 


1798. Sam'l Mower, Jr., 


w. 


John Butler, 


s. 


Luther Goddard, 


N. W. 


Oliver Arnold, 


N. E. 


Nathan Conant, 


E. 


Sam'l Swan, 


C. 


Jon' a Howe, 


N. 


Anna Watson, 


s. 


Eleanor Read, 


w 


John King, 


s. 


Sally Swan, 


c. 


Ruth Henshaw, 


N. W. 


Eunice Southgate 


, N. 


1799. John King, 


N. 


James Harkness, 


s w 


Sam'l Mower, Jr., 


w. 


Lawson Lyon, 


c. 


Oliver Arnold, 


N. E. 


Sally Lynde, 


N. E. 


Eunice Southgate 


, E. 



Thomas Newhall, N W 
John King, S. 

Ruth Henshaw, C 



Anna Henshaw, N. 

Sally Tucker, W. 

Abigail Watson, N W. 

1800. Thomas Wilder, E. 
Joel Smith, N W. 
Joseph Bruce, N 
Samuel Bond, S. 
Sally Lynde, N. E. 
John Parker, S. W. 
Origen Packard, N. E> 
Anna Robinson, S. 
Hannah Washburn, C. 

N. 
Eleanor Read, W. 

Eunice Southgate, E. 
Abigail Watson, N \V 
Hannah Inman, N. E. 

1801. Samuel Bond, N W 
Sam'l Watson, 2d, S W 
Origen Packard, N E 
Ahab Arnold, S 
Henry Parks, W 
Dolly Tucker, W 
Lawson Lyon, C 
Betsey Upham, N 
Hannah Inman, N E 
Hannah Waite, C 
Anna Henshaw, E 
Hannah Williams, S 

1802. John King, S W 
Henry Eddy, N W 
Sam'l Watson, C 
Reuben Washburn, E 
Ahab Arnold, S 
Amos Holbrook, N 
John Read, w 
Anna Henshaw, E 
Abigail Watson, C 
Rebeckah Sprague, N 
Elizabeth Henshaw, N E 
Hannah Williams, S 
Joseph Sprague, N E 

1803. Tyler Goddard, n w 
Ahab Arnold, W 
Sam'l Watson, 2d. C 
Jolm King, S W 
Daniel Green, S 



27 



Phebe Williams, 
Sophia Sargent, 



W 

E 

N E 
Hannah Washburn, C 

Tammy White, S W 

Minerva Stetson, S 
Reuben Washburn, E 

Amos H'olbrook, N 

1804. Daniel Green, S W 
John King, S 
Henry Parker, C 
Comfort Dix, N E 
David Taylor, N W 
Ahab Arnold, W 
Anna Henshaw, E 
Hannah Washburn, C 
Elizabeth Hensha\v,N W 
Tammy White S W 
Hannah Inman, N E 
Betsey Warren, W 
Andrew Henshaw, E 
Sally White, S 
Catharine Elliot, N 

1805. Harry Sargent, E 
Comfort Dix, N 
David Brigham, N W 
John Cheney, N E 
Ahab Arnold, S 
Charles Davis, W 
Sam'l Watson, 2d, C 
Anna Bryant, N W 
Elizabeth Henshaw, N E 
Sophia Sargent, C 
Abigail Watson, E 
Lucretia Green, S 
Mary Meriam, S W 
Matthew Watson, S W 

1806. Ahab Arnold, N E 
Tyler Goddard, N W 
Benj. Lincoln Howe, W 
David Brigham, C 
John King, S 
Betsey Warren, W 
Betsey Sargent, E 
Lucy Stone, C 
ElizabethWarren, W 



Catherine Elliott, S 

Anna Bryant, N W 

1807. Roswell Sprague, N W 
Bathsheba Aldrich, N E 
Asa Hammond, S W 
Tammy White, S W 
Joseph Sprague, N 
Catherine Elliot, S 
Sally Parker, N 
Silas Putnam, E 
John King, S 
Benj. Read, W 
Luther Rice, C 
Brown Aldrich, N E 
Tarissa Morse, E 
Peggy Sargent, C 

1808. Betsey Warren, W 
Harry Sargent. E 

" " C 

John King, W 

Jeremiah Jones, N W 

Jonas Hartwell, S W 

Eben'r Chaplin, S 
Ezekiel Fowler, Jr., NE 

Clarissa Watson, E 

Eleanor Sargent, W 

Tammy White, S W 

Hannah March, N E 

Catherine Elliot, N 

Tarissa Morse. C 

1809. Ezekiel Fowler, Jr., NE 
Harry Sargent, W 
Joshua Henshaw, N W 
Joseph Sprague, N 
Jos. D, Sargent, E 
H. G. Henshaw, S W 
Joseph Sprague, C 
Tammy White, S W 
Eleanor Sargent, "W 
Electa Earle, N E 

" '• E 

Elizabeth Penny, S 

Sophia Sargent, C 

Catherine Elliot, N 

1810. James Fay, N 

Charles Davis, E 

Roswell Sprague, "W 



28 



ISll. 



1812. 



1313. 
1814. 



Anna Henshiuv, 




N 


Charles Sprague, 


N 


W 


Anna Bryant, 


N 


W 


Ruel Jones, 


S 


w 


Eldridge Daniels, 


N 


E 


Jonas Guilford, 




S 


Edward Flint, 




c 


Tammy White 


s 


w 


Charlotte Wheeler, 




c 


Eleanor Sargent, 


N 


E 


Roxa Barton, 




w 


Polly Warren, 




s 


Mary Parker, 




w 


John Wood, 




E 


John King, 


S 


W 


Roxana Barton, 




\V 


Benj. Cheever, 




N 


^t (( 


N 


E 


Silas Meriam, 


N 


W 


Luther Goddard, 




C 


Alpheus Bemis, 




s 


Harvey Tainter, 




E 


Anna Henshaw, 




C 


Lucinda Washburn, 


N 


W 


Cynthia Snow, 


N 


E 


Mary Warren, 




W 


Mary Parker, 




w 


Elizabeth Denny, 




E 


Luther Goddard, 




s 


Reuben Meriam, 


N 


w 


Leonard Cary, 


S 


w 


John Kinff, 




s 


Eliza C. Flint, 




N 


Lucinda Washburn 


N 


E 


John xMilton Read, 


N 


E 


Harvey 'Painter, 




E 


Eliza Swift, 


N 


\Y 


Melinda Watson, 




E 


ce ic 


N 


AV 


Thankful Hearsey, 




W 


Lucretia Waite, 




E 


Asahel R. Smith, 




E 


Mary Denny, 




S 


Mindvvell Jones, 


S 


w 


Elizabeth Jackson, 




c 


Warren Ilobbs, 


N 


c 


Paul Swift, 


N 


E 



N 



John King, 
Austin Hearsey, 
Clark Chandler, 
Frederick Mathews, 
Timothy M. Clapp, 

1815. Lucy Emerson, 
Roxa S. King, 
Rebeck ah Sprague, 
Anna Henshaw, 
Roxana Sprague, 
Harriet Southgate, 
Melinda Watson, 
Eben'r A. Howard, 
Sara'l Chilson, 
Lyman Waite, 
Eliphaz Fay, 
Charles King, 
O. C. Silvester, 
Lydia Earle, 

John King, 
G. Stafford Newton, n e 

1816. Lucy Cheney, s 
Rebeckah Sprague, 
Lucy Emerson, 
Roxana Wilson, 
Louisa Bond, 
Warren Hobbs, 
Sally Sargent, 
Lydia Earle, 
Asa B. W\atson, 
Melinda Watson, 
Lyman Waite, 
John King, 
Otis Sprague, 
Lyman Waite, 
John Thornton, i 

1817. Lucy Bigelow, 

Rebeckah Sprague, 
Mary Stone, 
Mary B. H. Wheeler, 
Eliza Barton, 
Warren Hobbs, 
Louisa Bond, 
Cynthia Snow, 
Jeremiah Grout, 
Eliza Southgate, 
Lewis Bemis, 



N w 

6 w 

E 

N 

S 

w 

N E 
C 



c 
w 

N 

s w 
\v 

E 

N E 
N W 
N W 
S E 

S 

c 

£ 

N E 

N 

C 

S E 

W 



w 
s w 

N W 
W 
E 

N E 



29 



1818. 



Lyman Waite, s e 

John Sargent, Jr., b 

John King, s 

Emory W ashburn, c 

G, Stafford Newton, n e 

Sarah Earle, n e 

Eliza Southgate, e 

Mary B. H. Wheeler, w 



Lydia Earle, 


N E 


Sybil Watson, 


W 


Mary E. Stone, 


s 


Abigail Lamb, 


s 


Rebeckah Sprague, 


c 


Lewis Bemis, 


w 


Louisa Bond, 


s w 


Harvey Tainter, 


E 


Lucy Bigelow, 


N 


Edwin Waite, 


N W 


John King, 


S 


Lewis Bemis, 


c 


Chas. Brigham, Jr, 


S E 


James Thornton, 


N E 


1819. Abigail S. Lamb, 




Hannah Earle. 


N E 


Grace Denny, 


E 


Rebeckah Sprague, 


C 


Lucy Sprague, 


W 


Louisa Bond, 


S W 


Lyman Waite, 


N E 


John Sargent, Jr., 


W 


Cynthia Snow, 


N W 


Elvira Earle, 


N 


Homer Earle, 


N 


Luna White, 


N W 


Catherine Sprague, 


S E 


Edwin Waite, 


SE 


Sil&s Jones, 


C 


John King, 


S 


Lyman Waite, • 


E 


1820. Eliza Barton, 


S 


Eveline A. Silvester 


, NW 


Jona. Adams, 


NE 


Louisa Bond, 


s w 


Hannah Earle, 


NE 


I. S. Bigelow, 


w 


Lucy Sprague, 


w 


Elvira Earle, 


N 



1821. 



1822. 



1823. 



1B24. 



Lyman Waite, 

Sam'l J. Chapin, 
Grace Denny, 
Prussia Rowland 
Francis Hov»'e, 
Catherine H. Denny, 



N 

SE 

C 

C 

SE 

N W 

E 



Cyrus Underwood, 
Edwin Waite, 
Sarah Earle, 
Lyman \V'aite, 
Hannah Brown 
Sarah Earle, 
Hadassah Kingsbury, 
Tryphena Bigelow 



E 

S 

N E 

C 

N AV 
N W 

s 

N 
E 

N 
S 



N 



S 



N 



Hannah Earle, 
Horace Howard, 

Betsey Greene. s "^v 

Ruth Washburn, C 

Fordyce Harrington, s w 
Asa Guilford, 
Harriet Huntington, 
Eunice Underwood, 
Augustus G. Hill, 
Hollister B. Gilbert, 
Orin Huntington, 
Wm. H. Moffitt, 
Mary Trask, 
Charlotte Draper, 
Louisa Upham, 
Dolly Barton, 
Rebeckah Sprague, 
Catherine Warren, 
Edwin Waite, 
Sarah Earle, 
Asa Guilford, 
Addison Knight, 
Louisa Southgate, 



E 
E 
C 

E 
E 

W" 

S 

N 

S E 

C 

N Vv 

s 

NE 

N E 
N 
E 



Hadassah Kingsbury, s w 

Amos D. Wheeler, w 

Lawson B Sibley, C 

Orin Huntington, E 

Lora Grout, N \v 

Hannah Moulton, w 

Eliza Moore, S E 

Adeline Livermore, n w 



30 



1825. 



i82G. 



N 



Catlierine Warren, n 
Rebeckah Sprague, 
Louisa Southgate, 
Sarah Parker, 
Eli Goodrich, 
Amos D. Wheeler, 
Lora Grout, 
David Draper, 
Addison King, 
Orin Huntington, 
Hannah Earle, 
Horace Howard, 
Jolin Wheeler, 
Seraphine Howe, 
Harriet Huntington, S E 
Julia Ann Draper, 
Laurinda Upham, 
Harriet Watson, 
Lucy EarJe, 
Sarah Parker, 
Lora Grout, 
Alonzo Edmands, 
Louisa Upham, 
Clarendon Morse, 



C 

E 

S 
S 

c 

w 

E 

w 

S E 

NE 
N E 

N 
S 



N 



S 



Mary Breckenridge, n w 



1827, 



Addison Knight, 
David Draper, 
Dexter S. King 
Zenus H. P. Hale, 
Horace Howard, 
Joel Marble, 
Ann Jones, b 

Hannah Brown, 
Catherine Warren, 
Eliza D. Howe, n 
Martha Hearsey, 
Joel Marble, 
Mary Newell, 
Hadassah Kingsbury, 
Orinel Howard, 
Dexter Wilson 
Amos Kittridge, N 
Joseph Muenscher, s 
Eliza P. Daniels, n 
Samuel D. Darling, n 
Lora Grout, 
Emeline Draper, 



N W 

c 

s w 

E 

N E 

C. 

B E 

N 

E 

N W 

W 

C 

E 

S 

s 

N 
W 
E 
E 
E 
W 
W 



Elizabeth D. Howe, s w 

Calista A. Watson, n w 

Sarah Parker, s e 

Eleanor Jones, e 

Louisa Wan en n 

Seraphine Howe, s 

1827. Hannah Earle, n. e. 
Edward Jenks, n e 
Addison Knight, s 
Samuel Day, w 
Amos D. Wheeler, c 
Amos Kittridge, N w 
Mary B. H. Wheeler, c 
Zenus H. P. Hale, s e 
John Sargent, Jr., e 

1828. Elizabeth Howe, s w 
Hadassah Kingsbury, n 
Lucretia Willington, s e 
Lydia Watson, w 
Eliza Daniels, N 
Eliza Ann Jones, e 
Eliza M. Russell, C 
Adeline Livermore, N w 
Serephine Howe, S 
Dexter S. King, S E 
Lyman Wheeler, E 
Seth Rice, S 
Dexter Wilson, S 
Samuel Day, w 
Harvey Wilson, N E 
Amos Kittridge, N w 
L. Ann Jones, s w 

1829. Moses Greenwood, C 
Ruth Kingsbury, N 

I Susan Mason, E 

Adeline Barton, S E 

Elizabeth D. Howe, w 

Mary Arnold, N E 

Serephine Howe, S E 

Calista A. Watson, n w 

Addison Knight, N w 

Sam'l Pierce, w 

Paul Wheelock, s \v 

Harrison Hinds, E 

Eliza Daniels, E 

! E. Miranda Pratt, N 

Edward Earle, N E 



31 



1838. 



w 

S E 
E 

N E 
N 

N W 
C 

s w 
s 

S E 

N E 
W 
N 
W 

c 
c 



830. Lucretia P, Willington, s 
Elvira Hearsey, 
Adeline Barton, 
Eliza Daniels, 
Eliza E. Hoag, 
Abigail Trask, 
Calista A. Watson 
Serephine Howe, 
L. P. Willington, s 
Stillman Green, 
Harvey Wilson. s 

Edward Earle, n 

Z. S. M. Hearsey, 
Dwight Eames, b & 
Moses Hammond, s 
Charles A. Mirick, 
Amos Kittridge, 

1831. Sally King, 
Abigail E. Trask, n 
Elvira Hearsey, w 
Elizabeth Southwick, n e 
Dwight Eames, n 
Sarah Parker, s w 
Wm. Green, n \v 1839. 
Calista A. Watson, c 
Harvey Wilson, c 
Z. S. M. Hearsey, w 

1832, Sarah Parker, S 
Lyman Wheeler, c 
Abigail E. Trask, w 
Z. S. M. Hearsey, vv 
Lucinda H. Denny, n 
A. K. Marsh, n w 

1833. Lydia Ann Watson, vv 
Maria Livermore, c 
L. A Maynard, c 
Melinda W. Kent, e 
Miss Dickinson, e 
Jairus Walker, N w 
Mr. Wilson, a e 

1834. Charles H. Wheeler, w 

Catherine Whitman, c 
Harriet E. Henshaw, c 
Catherine Whitman, c 
Sam'l Stone, s e 1840 

Abigail E. Trask, w 

1837. Jos. M. King, n e 

Geo. S. Bond, w 



Harriet E. Whittemore, n 
Mary Brown, n e 

Sarah S. Woodbury, s w 
Mary Ann White, c 

Jane P. Trask, w 

Sarah Young, e 

Martha E. Stone, s e 
Martha Burr, e 

Elizabeth Southwick, n w 

Ji E 

Lois Thompson, s 

Abigail Mason, c 

Sarah Uphani, c 

Daniel P Livermore, s e 
John M. Parkhurst, s 
Nelson H. Davis, n 

Marshall S. Mead, n w 
Samuel M. Corbin, w 
Luther Hunter, Jr. c 
Harvey H. Phettyplace, e 
Martha Warren, s vv 
Sarah Young, e 

Mary Ann White, c 

Mary Ann White, c 

Mary Whittemore, c 

Sarah Young, e 

Mary Brown, n e 

Harriet E. Whittemore, n 
Elcemy Snow, n vv 

Jane P. Trask, vv 

Emeline Huntington, s vv 
Martha Warren, s 

Sarah Whittemore, s E 
Reuben Cunningham, c 
Mary Ann White, c 

Harvey H. Phettyplace, e 
Sarah Young, e 

Pliny E. Chase, n e 

Timothy Earle, n 

Edwin Greene, n w 

Sarah Guilford, w 

Martha Warren, s w 

Roxana Watson, s 

Elisha Darling, s e 

, Mary Ann White, c 

Harriet E. Henshaw, c 
Sarah Young, e 

Catherine Beers, b 



32 



Eliza Warren, av 

Harriet E. Whittcmore n 
Elizabeth Southwick,NE 
Adeline Livermore, n w 
Roxana Watson, s 

Maria E. Watson, s e 
Esther G. Muzzy, s vv 
Charles Gav, c 

Jane P. Trask, c 

Harvey H. Phettyplace, e 
Sarah Young, e 

Mary Smith, w 

Stephen Eavle, n 

Francis A. Holman, n e 
Henry E. Bancroft, n w 
Moses Harrington, 
John A. Wheelock, s e 
Esther G. Muzzy, s \v 
Charles W. Rugg, s \v 
!S4 1 Harriet E. Whittemore, c 
Jane P. Trask, c 

Sarah Young, e 

Catherine T. Burr, e 
Eliza Warren, w 

M. Louisa Howe, n 

Maria R. Eddy, n e 

Lucy Eaton, n vv 

Roxuna Waison, s 

Susan Elliot, s e 

L. Ann Jones, s, w 

Stephen Earle, c 

Jane P. Trask, c 

Jaivus Walker, e 

Sarah Young, e 

John Broadbent, w 

Nathan Daniels, N 

Marshall S. Mead, n e 
Samuel Pierce, n. w 

Moses Harrington, s 
Lemuel H. Waters, s e 
Still man A. Dane, s w 
1842 Harriet E. Whittemore c 



Reliance Crocker, 
Maria E. Crosby 

»-Huntington, 

Alice M. Green, 
Stephen Earle, 
Mary Ann White, 
Nathan Daniels, 
Alice M. Green, 
-Adams, 



Mary Ann White, c 

Sarah Young, e 

Maria Watson e 

Ann R. Sprague, w| 

Adeline M. Howe, n 

Martha B. Warren, n e 



S E 

S W 

C 

c 

E 
E 
\V 

Orville K. Hutchinson, n 
Theron E. Hall, n Tu 
Charles Miles, n w 

Moses Harrington, t; 

John A. Bartlett, s e 

Clarissa Barton, sw 

1843. Ann R. Sprague, c 

Mary Ann Wliite, c 

Alice M. Groen, e 

Elizabeth Woodcock, \v 
Rebecca Anthony, n e 
Mary Stetson, s 

Jane Whittemore, se 
Maria E. Sibley, s w 
James Miles, c 

Catherine A. Estabrook c 
Nathan Daniels, e 

Martha Burr, k 

Ann R. Sprague, w 

HarrietE. Whittemore, n 
Theron E. Hall, n e 
Charles Miles, n w 

Moses Harrington, s 
Josiah C. Mead, s e 
Clementina Drake, s w 

IS44. Ann R. Sprague, c 

Catherine A. Estabrook c 
Harriet E. Whittemore, e 
Martha E. Burr, e 

Julia D. Watson, w 

Caroline Henshaw, n 
Sarah T. Grosveuor, N e 
Lucy Eaton, n w 

Lucy M. Harrington, s 
Jane Whittemore, s k 
Lucretia P. Merriam, s w 
Reuben Comings, c 

Julia A. D. Bigelow, e 
Nathan Upham, w 



33 



Harriet E. Whittemore, n 
Albert Watson, n e 1847. 

Laurens Upliam, n vv 
Wm. R. JJarrett, s 

O. K. Ilutcliinson, se 
Lucretia P. Merriam, s e 

1845. Reliance Crocker, c 
M. Maria Marsh, c 
Jane Thorp, e 
Martha E. Burr, e 
Louisa Ann Stevens, w 

Woodward, n 

Mary Ann Gleason, ne 
L. M. Harrington, s 

Eliza J. Whittemore, s e 
Mary E. Hartvvell, s w 
ICdward A. Partridge, c 
Thomas W. Loring, e 
Calvin A. Marsh, w| 

Stephen Earle, n 

John N. Earle, n e 

Henry Chilson, n w 

Charles Hibbard, s 1848. 

John Pierce, s e 

Eveline Havves, s w 

Adeline A. White, s w 
Lucretia P. Merriam, s w 

1846. Reliance Crocker, c 
M. Maria Marsh, c 
Melissa Curtis, e 
Martha E. Burr, e 
Ann R. Sprague, w 
Harriet E. Whittemore, n 
Ann H. Earle, n e 
Zeruah Upham, n w 
Lucy M. Harrington, s 
Mary Ann Gleason, s e 
Sarah T Grosvenor, s w 
Jacob Bean, c 
M. Maria Marsh, c 
Melissa Curtis, e 
Martha E. Burr, e 1849. 
Ann R. Sprague, w 
H. E. Whittemore, n 
James Wheat, n e 
Charles Hibbard, si 
O, K.Hutchi nson, .s e; 



James Kilburn, s w 

Mary Ann Gleason, c 
M. Maria Marsh, 
Mary Sargent, 
Julia A. D. Bigelow, 
Martha E. Burr, 
Mary Woodcock, 
Martha E. Partridge, n w 
Mary S. Holman, x 

Dorinda Hair, n e 

Mary E. Jacobs, s i^ 

Susan Whittemore, s 
Lucretia P. Merriam, s e 
Nathan Upham, c 

S. A. Hathaway, e 

Dorinda Hair, e 

Stephen Earle, w & n 
Alfred A. Woodward, ne 
John N. Grout, n w 

John N. Torrey, e 

James E. Wheat, s e 
Lucretia P. Merriam, s w 
Zeruah Upham, 
M. Maria Marsh, 
Caroline Hobbs, 
Dorinda Hair, 
Ann SprajTue, 
Caroline Bryant, 
Mary Woodcock, 
Almira Knight, 
Mary Ann Gleason, 
Nathan Upham, 
Lucius Brown, 
Mary Ann Gleason, 
Winthrop Perry, 
Eliza Firth, 
John N. Putnam, 
Helen Mixer, 
Stephen Earle, w & n w 
George Alann, n 

James Stewart, iv e 

Lucy K. Winch, c 

Sarah D. Edmands, c 
Mary Ann Gleason, f. 
Dorinda Hair, e 

Maria Guilford, w 

Almira Knight, n 



c 
c 

E 
E 

S E 
N W 

r. 

N 
S 

c 
r. 

R 
S E 

.S E 

s 

s w 



34 



Elizabeth Pratt, 
Catherine Earle, 
Caroline Bryant, 
Eliza Firth, 
Rebecca Trask, 
Helen Mixer, 
Henry C. Fay, 
Sarah D. Edmandr*, 
T. WiUard Lewis, 
Sarah A. Bumstead, 
F. O, Stiles, 
Ann R. Sprague, 
S. Sophia Parker, 
Aseneth Goddard, 
N. C. Pond, 



s 

N K 

N W 

s i:!l850. 

S E 

s w 
c 
c 

e' 
w 

N 

S 

E 
W 



Wasli'ton II. Merritt, s s 
Alma Jane Bates, s k 
Moses Harrington, s w 
Maria L. Lincoln, c 
Sarah D. Edmands, c 
Sarah A. Bumstead, e 
Annah Blanchard, k 
Elizabeth Watson, vv 

Almira Knight, n 

Mary A. Marble, s 

Elizabeth C. Capron, n e 
Abigail Bryant, N w 
Ann R. Sprague, s b 
Matilda Muzzy, s E 

Sarah Jane Gleason, s w 



•H 62 



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